4-day operation nets 12 Ohio Turnpike arrests

The Ohio Highway Patrol said Sunday a four-day operation focusing on criminal activity on the Ohio Turnpike resulted in the seizure of drugs with a street-value of $218,557 as well as various drugs and a pair of weapons. Twelve people were arrested.

The operation ran from Monday through Thursday and covered the stretch of turnpike between Toledo and Cleveland.

The mission used troopers and resources from across the state to remove "criminals from Ohio cities and roadways," the agency said.

A news release attributed to Lt. Mike Combs of the Massillon post and Lt. Bill Stidham of the Findlay post said troopers made 238 traffic stops, which led to seven felony drug arrests, two felony weapon arrests, and three misdemeanor drug arrests.

Seized were more than 6 pounds of marijuana, more than 2 pounds of heroin, and small amounts of hashish and cocaine.

In addition two semiautomatic handguns and $29,487 in cash were seized.

The Ohio Highway Patrol did not say what type of traffic violations precipitated the stops and subsequent discovery of the drugs and weapons.